Born of the Spirit
THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said to Him: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God: for no man can do these signs that you do, except God be with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him: “In Truth, I say to you: Except anyone be born again, they cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”
5 Jesus answered: “In Truth, I say to you: Except anyone be born of water and of the Spirit, they cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said to you: ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows wherever it wishes; and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell from where it comes, and where it goes: so is anyone that is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him: “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him: “You are a teacher of Israel, and know not these things?
11 In Truth, I say to you: We speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; and you receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and you believe not; how shall you believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no one ascends up to heaven, if not He that came down from heaven: the Son of man which was in heaven.”
14 ¶ “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness: so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
16 ¶ “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
17 For God did not sent His Son into the world, to condemn the world; but that the world, through Him might be saved.”
18 ¶ “He that believes in Him, is not condemned; but he that believes not: is condemned already; because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the basis for condemnation, that: the light has come into the world; and men love the darkness rather than the light: because their works are evil.
20 For every one that does evil hates the light; nor comes to the light, lest his works should be exposed
21 But he that does truth, comes to the light: that his works may be made manifest, that they be wrought in God.”
Johns’ Witness of Christ
22 ¶ After these things, Jesus and his disciples came into the land of Judea; and there He remained with them, and baptized.
23 ¶ Now John was also baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
25 ¶ Then there arose a dispute between John’s disciples and the Jews concerning purification.
26 And they came to John, and said to him: “Rabbi, He that was with you on the other side of the Jordan; to whom you bore witness: behold, He baptizes, and all men come to Him.”
27 John answered and said: “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said: ‘I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him.’
29 He that has the bride, is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: therefore, this joy of mine is complete.
30 He must increase in importance, and I must decrease.”
31 ¶ “He that comes from above, is above all; he that is from the earth, is earthly, and speaks of the earth; He that comes from heaven is superior to all.
32 And what He has seen and heard, of that He bears witness: and no one receives His witness.
33 He that has received His witness, has confirmed that God is true.
34 For He whom God has sent, speaks the words of God: for God gives the Spirit, not sparingly to Him.”
35 ¶ “The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand.
36 He that believes in the Son, has eternal life; but he that believes not the Son, shall not see life: but the wrath of God remains upon him.”